Between 1926 and 1938 Bertie Clark, although not a Bampton man, played for the Bampton Morris Men and he can be seen here on the left. The dancers are on the South side of the Market Square in front of Folly View semi-detached houses.

Colin Harold Bathe died on May 8th 2011 at the age of seventy three. His close friend David John Titchener, widely known as Curly, preceded him by just a few months dying at the age of seventy six on January 20th 2011. Both were well known in the area around their home town of Swindon for numerous activities relating to sports and motorised vehicles, but it is their involvement with traditional music, Morris dancing and song for which they will be remembered by Bampton people.

The article gives you far more information about these two men.

This picture must have been taken some time between 1926 and 1938 because that was the period when Bertie Clark, seen here on the fiddle, played in Bampton.

They are dancing at the East end of the Market Square.

Bampton Morris dancers c1924/5 outside the Elephant & Castle.

The sign over the pub door says Posting House, Horses, Carriages, Brakes. Personal attention given, Albert Townsend. The 3rd and 4th lines are hard to read which is a pity but it looks like 'For Hire All Trains Met On The Shortest Notice.

On 23rd September 1935 the Townsend family moved across the road to Castle View and made a farm of it having much more room to fatten more pigs.

Frank Purslow was not only an excellent melodeon player, he taught many local people as well. He also had a wonderful catalogue of music gathered throughout his life. It was shocking to see it all put outside the gate of his house after his death for the bin men to pick up. A little was rescued but the vast majority was thrown away. The letter from Frank shown here was a follow-on from one sent the week before and the text will explain all.

This photograph was taken in Tickhill at Rock House when Bampton Traditional Morris Men went up to Yorkshire for a weekend of dancing. The date is probably 1995 but could be 96 or 97.
The ladies are wives and girlfriends and daughters of the dancers and Jasper, the fool is at the centre back.

Mathew Green's Morris side, the Bampton Morris Men are seen here dancing in Sidmouth at their annual festival in 1999. Mathew is on the extreme left.

L-R Bill Daniels, Ray Borrett, Billy Main, Tony Daniels (started dancing in 1965), Martin Ferguson, David Rose dancing outside The Talbot under squire Francis Shergold

Reg Hall playing the fiddle for squire Francis Shergold's team The Bampton Traditional Morris Men outside the Talbot

Bampton Traditional Morris Dancers under squire Francis Shergold, fool Terry Rouse outside The Talbot about 1982.
Brother and sister Francis Shergold and Ruth Wheeler on the right looking down at the two little boys